Summer is (almost) here, friends and family are in town, and you want to take them on a National Mall tour that doesn’t totally suck. Luckily, not all Mall days have to include bad food trucks and ouchy feet.
Crispy potato perfection at Bistro DuJour before a big day. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)
First, breakfast:
Head to Bistro Du Jour at the Wharf. This Parisian-style café is right on the water and serves some of the crispiest potatoes in town. Don’t miss the Croque Madame and the pastries by Mah-Ze-Dahr. If you’re just looking for coffee, Colada Shop and District Donut are right down the boardwalk.
Your first mission: A ten-minute walk north will land you at the International Spy Museum. Adult tickets are $30, and the interactive exhibits and individualized engagement make it worth it. Two hours here will leave you sufficiently wide-eyed and ready for the next stop.
- 🕵️ Pro tip #1: Don’t miss the cyber infinity room on the fourth floor for an IG moment.
Take on the Mall: Another 10-minute walk lands you at the National Mall. The National Museum of Asian Art is celebrating its centennial with special exhibits and events. Or, my personal favorite, end the day at the Botanical Gardens for a rainforest stroll (because we all need more humidity in our lives).
- 🕵️ Pro tip #2: Give your feet a break and use the free Southwest Shuttle which has stops outside the Wharf, the Spy Museum, L’Enfant Metro, and outside the Hirshhorn Museum.
